FOLK 


tT<!an  Cutter 


p 

Katie Jjem  w 
^•' 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


FROM  THE  HEART  OF  A  FOLK 

A  BOOK  OF  SONGS 


FROM   THE    HEART 
OF   A    FOLK 

A  BOOK  OF  SONGS 

BY 

WAVERLEY  TURNER  CARMICHAEL 

WITH  AN  INTRODUCTION  BY 

JAMES  HOLLY  HANFORD 


BOSTON 
THE  CORNHILL  COMPANY 


COPYRIGHT  1918 
BY  THE  CORNfflLL  COMPANY 


3> 

TO 

fflolhrr 


1661522 


INTRODUCTION 

When  Waverley  Carmichael,  as  a  student  in 
my  summer  class  at  Harvard,  brought  me  one 
day  a  modest  sheaf  of  his  poems,  I  felt  that  in 
him  a  race  had  become  or  at  least  was  becoming 
articulate.  We  have  had,  it  is  true,  sympa 
thetic  portrayals  of  Negro  life  and  feeling  from 
without;  we  have  had  also  the  poems  of  Dun- 
bar,  significant  of  the  high  capabilities  of  the 
Negro  as  he  advances  far  along  the  way  of 
civilization  and  culture.  The  note  which  is 
sounded  in  this  little  volume  is  of  another  sort. 
These  humble  and  often  imperfect  utterances 
have  sprung  up  spontaneously  from  the  soul  of  a 
primitive  and  untutored  folk.  The  rich  emo 
tion,  the  individual  humor,  the  simple  wisdom, 
the  naive  faith  which  are  its  birthright,  have 
here  for  the  first  time  found  voice.  It  is  suffi 
cient  to  say  of  Waverley  Carmichael  that  he  is 
a  full  blooded  southern  negro,  that  until  last 
summer  he  has  never  been  away  from  his 
native  Alabama,  that  he  has  had  but  the  most 
limited  advantages  of  education,  and  that  he 
has  shared  the  portion  of  his  race  in  hardship, 
poverty,  and  toil.  He  does  not  know  why  he 
wrote  these  poems.  It  is  an  amazing  thing 
that  he  should  have  done  so  —  a  freak,  we  may 
call  it,  of  the  wind  of  genius,  which  bloweth 
where  it  listeth  and  singles  out  one  in  ten  thou 
sand  to  find  a  fitting  speech  for  the  dumb 
thought  and  feeling  of  the  rest. 

But  we  need  not  base  the  claim  of  Carmichael 
to  the  attention  of  the  public  merely  on  con- 
Ivii] 


siderations  of  this  sort.  His  work  speaks  for 
itself.  It  is  original  and  sincere.  It  follows 
no  traditions  and  suffers  no  affectation.  It  is 
artless,  yet  it  reaches  the  goal  of  art.  The 
rhythms,  especially  of  some  of  the  religious 
pieces,  are  of  a  kind  which  is  beyond  the  reach 
of  effort.  He  has  rightly  called  them  melodies. 
Occasionally  there  is,  it  seems  to  me,  a  touch  of 
something  higher,  as  in  the  haunting  refrain  of 
the  lyric  "  Winter  is  Coming." 

De  yaller  leafs  are  falling  fas' 
Fur  summer  days  is  been  and  pas'; 
The  air  is  blowin'  mighty  cold, 
Like  it  done  in  days  of  old. 

But  this  is  rare.  Oftenest  the  characteristic 
note  is  humor,  or  tender  melancholy  relieved 
by  a  philosophy  of  cheer  and  courage,  and  the 
poetic  virtue  is  that  of  simple  truth.  We  are 
reminded  of  no  poet  so  strongly  as  of  Burns. 

What  Waverley  Carmichael  may  accomplish 
in  the  future  I  do  not  know.  But  certainly 
in  this  volume  he  has  entitled  himself  to  the 
gratitude  of  his  own  race  and  to  the  sympathetic 
appreciation  of  all  who  have  its  interests  and 
those  of  true  poetry  at  heart. 

JAMES  HOLLY  HANFORD. 


viii  ] 


CONTENTS 

FACE 

Mammy's  Baby  Scared 3 

Taint  No  Need  o'  Women  Worrin' 4 

I  Ain't  Turn  Sussie  Out 6 

De  Signs  o'  Spring 8 

The  Old  Mill 9 

It's  All  Through  Life 10 

Eligia,  the  Bad  Boy 11 

Scolding  Baby  Boy 12 

The  Escort 13 

The  Night  I  Went  to  Church 14 

Sleep  On  Ye  Happy  Sons 16 

The  Day  of  Freedom 17 

My  Little  Cabin  Home .  18 

The  Lover's  Spat 19 

Snow  Hill 21 

The  Invitation 22 

A  Word  to  Ethiopia 23 

Booker  T.  Washington 24 

Paul  Lawrence  Dunbar 25 

I  Am  Ma'  an'  Papa'  Baby 26 

The  Flower 27 

When  the  Different  Churches  Meet 28 

I  Use  ter  Ores' 29 

Where  Hearts  Are  Gay 30 

Home  Instruction 31 

The  New  Year's  Resolve 32 

Labor  On 33 

Forget  Me  Not 34 

Annoyance 35 

Der  Fiddle  Is  My  Comfort 36 

The  Favorite  Diet 37 

Good  After  111 38 

The  Prayer  of  the  Faithful 39 

A  Daily  Prayer 40 

Keep  Me,  Jesus,  Keep  Me 41 

Run  on  Home        42 

Sing  on  to  Jesus 43 

Seek  the  Lost 44 

"  You'll  Reap  What  You  Sow  " 45 

[«] 


CONTENTS 

FAOt 

Move  On 46 

The  Departure .     .  47 

Twas  Mother .     .  49 

The  Mother's  Farewell  to  Her  Son  .           50 

Take  Me  Home .51 

The  Day  of  Repentance 52 

What  Have  I  Done .53 

When  the  Way  Seems  Dark        ....                 ...  54 

In  the  Hour  of  Death 55 

Eventide 56 

Winter  Is  Coming 57 

The  Combat 58 

Red,  White,  and  Blue 59 

Sing  Out  for  Peace 60 


FROM  THE  HEART  OF  A  FOLK 


MAMMY'S  BABY  SCARED 

Hush  now,  mammy's  baby  scaid, 
Don'  it  cry,  eat  yo'  bread; 
Nothin'  aint  goin'  bother  you, 
Does',  it  bothers  mammy  too. 

Mammy  aint  goin'  left  it  'lone 
Wile  de  chulen  all  are  gone; 
Hush,  now,  don'  it  cry  no  mo'e, 
Aint  goin'  lay  it  on  de  flo'. 

Hush  now,  finish  out  yo'  nap, 
Wile  I  make  yo'  luttle  cap; 
Blessid  luttle  sugar-pie, 
Hush  now,  baby,  don'  it  cry. 

Mammy's  goin'  to  make  its  dres', 
Go  to  sleep  an'  take  yo'  res'; 
Hush  now,  don'  it  cry  no  mo'e, 
Aint  goin'  lay  you  on  de  flo'. 


[3] 


"  TAINT  NO  NEED  O'  WOMEN 
WORRIN'  " 

Taint  no  need  o'  women  worrin'  'bout  dese 

sorry  men, 

Dey  just  lack  a  paper  bag  w'en  it's  full  o'  win'; 
Dey  will  call  us  sugar-pie  an'  will  treat  us  nice 
Till  dey  git  us  horn'  wid  dem,  fur  to  be  dere 

wife; 

T'ings  will  go  'long  very  well,  fur  a  week  er  two, 
Den  you'll  see  'em  sittin'  roun'  frownin'  atter 

you; 
Taint  a  bit  o'  need  o'  worrin'  'bout  dese  sorry 

men, 
Dey  just  lack  a  paper  bag  w'en  it's  full  o'  win'. 

W'en  dey  walk  erlong  wid  you  holdin'  ter  yo' 

arm, 
Don't  you  mind  'em,  dats  a  stunt,  dey  are  full 

o'  harm; 
Dey    kin    tell    de    biggest  lies  mos'  you  ever 

seen, 
An'  kin   pet   an'  honey   you   lack   you  wus  a 

queen; 
One  caught  up  wid  me  las'  night  strutin'  wid  a 

cane, 
Rais'd  'is  hat  an'  gine  a  bow,  "  How'd  do  Mis' 

Lizer  Jane  "; 
I  didn'  axe  him  how  he  done,  dat  was  a  hint  to 

him 
Dat   I    pufur'd    a   paper   bag  w'en  it's  full  o' 

win'. 


[4] 


'Tis  best  to  keep  yo'  yes  one  dem  dey'll  fool  you 

if  dey  kin, 
Den  go  eroun'  an'  make  dere  brag  to  all  de  other 

men; 
Dey'll  come  eroun'  an'  talk  sweet  talk  an'  wont 

let  you  res', 
But  let  'em  git  you  fur  a  wife  dey'll  beat  you 

outer  bre'th 
Wen  you  see  dat  dey  aint  no  good  just  let  'em 

pas'  on  by, 
'C'ase  sho'  as  you  fool  'long  wid  dem,  dem  fools 

'11  make  you  cry, 
Taint  no  use  o'  women  worrin'  'bout  dese  sorry 

men, 
Fur  dey  just  lack  a  paper  bag  w'en  it's  full  o' 

win'. 

If  I  eber  marry  one,  he  sho's  got  to  work, 
Fo'  I  ain't  goin'  kill  myself  w'le  he  sit  an'  shirk; 
Many  women  are  today  almos'  in  dere  graves 
'C'ase  dey  work  demselves  to  de'th  lack  dey 

wus  all  slaves; 
Say,    w'at  you   t'ink  of  Jaboc    Quinn,    he  is 

mighty  nice 
An'  you  kno'  I's  promis'd   him  I  would   be  'is 

wife; 

Let  me  Stop  my  crazy  talk,  I  kno'  I  love  de  men, 
If  dey  are  lack  a  paper  bag,  w'en  it's  full  o'  win'. 


I  AINT  TURN  SUSSIE  OUT 

"  Hoi'  on,  what  you  mean 
By  walkin'  wid  a  man? 
Bet  I'll  knock  you  to  de  groun', 
An'  roll  you  in  de  san'. 
Wat  you  look  like  tryin'  ter  court, 
I  aint  yet  turn  you  out; 
Look  out  Miss  you'er  mighty  fas', 
Mind  what  you  erbout. 

"  Young  man  you  better  go  on  horn' 
Befo'e  you  make  me  mad, 
'Cause  I'll  git  ter  fightin'  hyeah, 
An'  sayin'  somethin'  bad; 
Dis  gal  aint  ole  ernough  ter  court, 
No,  I  aint  turn  her  out; 
You's  mighty  high,  I  likes  you'  nerve, 
Mine  what  yo's  erbout. 

"  I  want  it  stric'ly  understood, 
Dat  you  can't  court  my  daughter, 
If  I  kech  you  wid  hur  ergain 
You'll  move  off  like  an'  auter; 
Dis  Bama  Jones  you  foolin'  wid, 
I  aint  no  '  scrubby  nigger,' 
My  mammy  sho'  sent  me  ter  school, 
An'  I  kin  read  an'  figger. 


[6] 


"  Wat  you  rec'on  I  look  like, 
Lettin  setch  a  thing  as  you 
Walk  long  side  a  gal  o'  mine 
An'  especi'lly  little  Sue? 
Take  dat  road  an'  go  on  horn', 
Fo'e  yo*  nigger  make  me  mad, 
Else  I'll  git  to  fightin'  hyeah, 
An'  sayin'  somethin'  bad." 


171 


DE  SIGNS  O'  SPRING 

Wen  de  thrushes  in  de  tree 
'Gins  to  sing  a  merry  song, 
Its  a  putty  good  ole  sign 
Dat  de  winter  days  aint  long. 

Wen  de  trees  begin  to  bud 
In  de  meadow  far  an'  near; 
You  kin  put  yo'  foot  erpoun  it 
Dat  spring  time  is  comin'  hyeah. 

All  de  flowers  in  de  woods 
'Gins  to  look  so  sweet  an'  dear; 
An'  de  darkies  all  are  singin' 
'Cause  dey  kno'  dat  spring  is  hyeah. 

Wen  de  days  are  growin'  warm, 
You  kin  hyeah  de  voices  clear 
O'er  de  meadow  far  an'  wide, 
Gladly  savin'  "  spring  is  hyeah." 


[8] 


THE  OLD  MILL 

Near  de  margin  of  de  stream 

'Neath  a  towerin'  hill, 

In  the  field's  shadow  and  gleam, 

Stands  de  dear  ole  mill; 

Ye' re  have  come  an'  pass'd  erway 

Since  she  took  her  stand, 

Near  de  stream  dat  slowly  glides 

O'er  the  gleamin'  sand. 

Rain  has  fall'n  an'  win'  has  bio' 
'Gainst  her  mossy  walls; 
An'  she  tosses  to  an'  fro 
As  the  win'  about  her  falls; 
Tossin'  frum  de  early  morn 
Till  de  eventide  — 
Near  the  margin  of  de  stream 
Were  de  shinin'  water  glide. 

Dear  to  one  an'  true  to  all 
As  she  lifts  her  ole  wo'n  head, 
Toilin'  ebery  day  but  one 
Makin'  daily  bread; 
An'  she  toils  and  murmurs  not 
In  de  wea'ther  that  betides, 
'Neath  de  shadow  of  de  hill 
Were  de  ole  stream  glides. 


IT'S  ALL  THROUGH  LIFE 

A  day  of  joy,  a  week  of  pain, 

A  sunny  day,  a  week  of  rain; 

A  day  of  peace,  a  year  of  strife; 

But  cling  to  Him,  it's  all  through  life. 

An  hour  of  joy,  a  day  of  fears, 
An  hour  of  smiles,  a  day  of  tears; 
An  hour  of  gain,  a  day  of  strife, 
Press  on,  press  on,  it's  all  through  life. 


[10] 


ELIGIA,  THE  BAD  BOY 

"  Jest  look  at  'em  —  'e  got  on  my  dres'  ' 

"  Sister  Fannie  is  'e  got  on  yo'  dres'?  " 

"  Yes!  an'  'e  got  my  shoes." 

"  Well  cetch  de  little  devil  an'  beat  'em  good, 

If  I  jest  could  see  'em   I   'ould   beat   'em   ter 

de'th." 

"  Well  Isac  'e  got  on  my  hat." 
"  Doggon'  it;   is  'e  got  yo'  hat?  " 
"  Yes!  an'  'e  got  on  my  dres'.  " 
"  Well  cetch  de  little  scamp  an'  gea  yo'  bes'; 

If  I  jest  could  see  'em  I  'ould  beat  'em  ter 

de'th." 

"  Confound'd  'e  got  on  my  specks." 
"  Don'  tell  me  'e  got  on  yo'  specks!  " 
"  Yes!  an'  'e  got  on  my  hat." 
"  Well  cetch  de  little  scamp  an'  beat  'im  good 

If  I  jest  could    see  'em  I  'ould  beat  'em  to 
de'th." 


SCOLDING  BABY  BOY 

Wats  de  matter  wid  you  boy, 
Hush  an'  eat  dat  bread, 
Fo'e  I  take  dis  firer  stick 
Crack  you  side  de  head. 

Act  like  you  aint  got  no  sense, 
Bawlin'  like  a  fool; 
Wallowin'  doun  dere  on  de  flo', 
Like  you  was  a  mule. 

I's  goin'  tell  you  now  in  time 
You  can  have  your  way; 
Runnin'  all  ercross  de  house, 
Hollerin'  all  de  day. 

Bet  not  have  me  spank  you  boy, 
Hush  sar,  stop  dat  cryin'; 
Set  doun  dere  sar  on  dat  chest, 
Scrape  dat  melPyon  rine. 


[12] 


THE  ESCORT 

I  went  horn'  wid  me  gal  las'  night 

Dat  darlin'  little  mis', 

An'  time  we  start  off  frum  de  church 

I  ask'd  hur  fur  a  Ids'; 

She  drapp'd  hur  head  an'  kind  o'  blush 

Den  say,  "  I  recon'  so  "; 

I  kis'd  hur  'bout  a  dozen  times 

An'  den  she  ask'd  fur  mo'. 

I  felt  like  I  wus  Vanderbuilt 

Gwine  walkin'  long  so  calm, 

W'ie  Anges  Lee  dat  darlin'  maid 

Wus  leanin'  on  my  arm. 

Erbout  two  miles  frum  church  she  live, 

I  didn't  mind  de  walk; 

I  wus  over  glad  to  go  wid  hur 

So  we  could  laugh  an'  talk. 

We  walk  'long  veary  slo'  you  kno' 

As  lovers  generally  does, 

She  promis'd  dat  she  would  be  mine 

I  promis'd  to  be  hurs; 

W'en  we  go  to  hur  mammy's  gate 

Dat  darlin'  little  mis', 

Jest  throw  hur  arms  eroun'  my  neck 

An'  greet  me  wid  a  kis'. 


[13] 


THE  NIGHT  I  WENT  TO  CHURCH 

I  went  to  church  de  other  night, 
Dat  preacher  sho'  did  preach, 
Till  ebery  body  in  de  church 
Wus  standin'  on  dere  feet; 
Aunt  Susan  went  an'  caught  'is  han' 
An'  bow'd  an'  jump  an'  bio'; 
Atter  w'ile  she  gine  a  jerk, 
An'  snatch'd  'im  to  de  flo'. 

Aunt  Susan  said,  "  scuse  me, 
De  spirit's  wid  me  now, 
I  wants  to  git  ole  Satin  out 
An'  chaise  'im  fur  a  roun'  "; 
De  preacher  look'd  eroun'  an'  said, 
"  Dat  spirit  sho'  am  strong; 
Next  time  you  keep  it  in  yo'  han' 
Ca'se  dat's  where  it  belong." 

Aunt  Lottie  stood  right  by  my  side 

An'  holler'd,  "  Aint  dat  so  "; 

Dan  she  gine  one  dem  holy  jumps 

An'  land  doun  on  my  toe; 

I  jump'd  an'  fell  ercross  a  bench, 

Amen,  amen,  dey  cry; 

Den  some  one  jump'd  erpon  dat  bench, 

An'  struck  me  in  de  eye. 

Wen  meetin'  broke  I  started  horn', 
Religin  on  my  min'; 
I  looks  back  down  de  lonesome  road  — 
A  shape  wus  right  behin' 

[14] 


Dat's  jest  'bout  twice  as  tall  as  me, 
An'  seem  as  w'ite  as  sno'; 
Wen  he  got  right  'long  by  my  side, 
He  say  "  good  evenin'  Joe." 

Den  boy,  I  hit  a  lickin'  pace 

An'  run  wid  all  my  might; 

I  quit  de  road  an'  took  de  trail 

Dat  leads  off  to  de  right 

Fur  'bout  a  mile  I  burn  de  win', 

Den  I  wus  veary  tir'd; 

I  sot  doun  on  a  log  to  res', 

He  eased  doun  by  my  side. 

Up  oft  dat  log  I  gine  a  leap, 

An'  tried  my  bes'  to  fly; 

He  reach'd  an'  caught  me  by  de  hair, 

Hit  look  lak'  I  would  die; 

I  leap'  ercross  de  fishin'  creek 

An'  I  gine  a  whoop  an'  squall; 

I'us  comin'  through  dem  piney  woods 

Jes'  lak'  a  rifle  ball. 


[15J 


SLEEP  ON  YE  HAPPY  SONS 

Sleep  on  ye  happy  sons 
Beneath  the  trodden  soil; 
Sleep  on  in  Paradise, 
'Tis  there  ye  have  no  toil. 

Ye  served  your  country  well, 
When  she  was  most  in  need; 
And  planted  in  her  bowers, 
A  pure  and  worthy  seed. 

Ye  gave  to  us  the  right 
To  live  as  others  live; 
For  this  we  do  adore, 
And  to  ye  honor  give. 

Sleep  on  ye  happy  sons 
Within  your  silent  grave; 
Sleep  on  in  Paradise 
Among  the  good  and  brave 


[16] 


THE  DAY  OF  FREEDOM 

It  wus  one  day  'bout  one  erclock, 

I  nuver  will  forgit  it; 

De  niggers  all  wus  jumpin'  'roun, 

Jest  like  a  drove  o'  crickits. 

"  We  done  got  free  at  las'  "  dey  cried, 

An'  dey  wus  jest  a  singin'; 

Could  hyeah  the  soun'  o'  niggers'  voice, 

All  through  de  woods  a  ringin'. 

I  cut  de  ole  time  "  pigion  wing  " 

Den  start  on  "  twistfurcation  " 

Fur  twas  de  only  way  I  kno' 

To  have  my  celerb ration. 

Sis  Juddie  jine  me  in  the  dance 

An'  den  we  went  to  swingin', 

Wile  people  pat  dere  hands  an'  sung 

Like  bells  in  heaben  ringin'. 

It  was  a  grand  an'  mighty  day 
Wen  all  dat  host  of  menses, 
Came  ridin'  to  ole  masser'  yard 
An'  toe  doun  all  de  fenceses; 
Den  dey  begin  to  bio'  dem  horns 
An'  horses  wus  a  prancin', 
I  threw  dat  child  doun  out  my  lap 
An'  man  I  went  to  dancin'. 


[17] 


MY  LITTLE  CABIN  HOME 

Not  a  place  on  earth  I  kno' 
Dat  I  love  as  well 
As  my  little  cabin  horn* 
Where  I  use  ter  dwell; 
Through  de  woods  I  use  ter  go 
Huntin'  fur  de  coon; 
Walkin'  by  oh  greamin'  light 
Of  de  silver  moon. 

Many  days  I  play'd  erbout 

'Neath  de  shady  trees; 

Where  I  hear'd  de  hummin'  sound 

Of  de  buisy  bees: 

Dearest  little  cabin  home, 

Yes,  I  love  you  still; 

I  kin  see  you  in  my  dreams 

Sittin'  on  de  hill. 


[18] 


THE  LOVER'S  SPAT 

My  darlin'  I  sho'  love  you 

But  you  don'  treat  me  right; 
W'a  make  you  let  dat  guy  go 

Back  horn*  wid  you  las'  night? 
You  kno'  dat  thing  got  way  wid  me 

Wen  you  did  me  excuse; 
I  want  to  be  wid  you  so  bad 

To  hyeah  de  lattes'  news. 

You  sho'  did  build  some  bridge  las'  night, 

Yer  built  it  'cross  my  nose; 

You  said  you  thought  a  lot  of  me 

To  tute  me  I  supose: 

I  kno'  ole  Dick  done  been  eround 

An'  make  'is  gread  big  brag; 

'Cause  all  de  boys  dat  lives  eround 

Is  got  me  fur  a  gag. 

Why  don'  you  be  a  lady  true 

An'  love  one  at  a  time, 

Dis  flirtin'  am  a  dangerous  thing, 

An'  too  it  is  a  crime; 

It  make  me  sick  doun  in  my  heart 

Wen  I  think  how  you  done, 

If  I  ketch  Dick  wid  you  ergain 

Somebody  sho'  goin'  run. 

He  goes  to  be  a  mighty  "  tush  " 
But  I's  not  scared  o'  him; 
If  ever  I  lay  hands  on  Dick 
I'll  beat  him  out  'er  win'; 

[19] 


Hush!  don'  you  say  a  thing  to  me 
You's  almos'  made  me  sick 
You  play  setch  trick  wid  me  ergain 
I'll  gea  you  'nough  o'  Dick. 

Come  hyeah  honey  to  yo  love, 

Hush  now  baby,  don'  it  cry; 

Aint  goin'  hurt  my  choc'late  drop, 

Blessid  little  sugar  pie. 

I  don'  kno'  w'at  I  would  do 

Dout  my  little  Miss; 

Let  me  hug  you  one  more  time 

An'  gea  you  a  kiss. 


[20] 


SNOW  HILL 

A  mother  true,  a  mother  wise 

This  is  the  name  she  bears; 

She's  sowing  truth  throughout  the  land, 

To  serve  in  coming  years. 

Upon  the  hearts  of  earnest  youths 

Who  march  to  her  bright  dawn, 

She  is  writing  there  a  precious  theme; 

Sing,  pray  and  labor  on. 

A  mother  who  is  walking  down 

The  narrow  rugged  lane, 

To  reach  the  goal  which  stands  afar 

In  everlasting  fame. 

Though  trials  come  on  every  side, 

Her  aim  is  bright  and  true; 

Through  storms  our  mother  will  endure 

And  make  our  lives  anew. 

A  mother  dear,  a  mother  true 

This  mother  is  Snow  Hill; 

Whose  lesson  is  to  labor  on 

And  do  our  Sovereign's  will. 

And  well  thou  knowest  mother  mine 

That  life  is  not  all  ease 

Thus  there  may'st  suffer  many  pain 

While  bringing  in  the  sheaves. 


[21] 


THE  INVITATION 

A  week  ergo,  las'  Wednesday  night 
I  got  an  invitation; 
To  visit  Parson  Davis'  home 
Wile  off  on  my  vacation. 

I  started  two  days  in  advance 
To  make  all  preparation; 
So  when  I  walked  into  de  house 
Dey  'ould  see  my  decoration. 

I  look  my  black  suit  through  an'  through 
An'  gine  to  it  a  cleanin'; 
Dat  almos'  hurt  dem  people's  eyes, 
'Cause  it  had  setch  a  gleamin'. 

De  night  came  on  for  me  to  fill 
Dat  most  distinct  engagement; 
You  kno'  dose  envious  Johnson  boys 
Tried  to  break  up  my  'rangement. 

Dey  told  er  many  different  things 
Which  all  prov'd  to  be  fakers; 
'Cause  every  body  know'  dem  boys 
To  be  good  faker  makers. 

I  gine  myself  an'  early  start 
To  take  a  good  neat  dressin'; 
So  when  I  face  dem  putty  maids 
I  'ould  make  a  good  impressin'. 

I  made  a  good  impressin'  too 
I  won  de  heart  o'  Mammie; 
An'  jest  had  been  a  luttle  mo' 
I  'ould  stole  de  heart  o'  Channie. 

[22] 


A  WORD  TO  ETHIOPIA 

No  race  has  had  such  chilly  days 

As  thou,  O  Mother  race; 

Nor  had  the  veil  of  darkness  drawn 

Before  its  lonely  face; 

What  pains  and  sorrows  thou  hast  had 

Through  these  lamenting  years; 

What  burdens  given  thee  to  bear, 

What  griefs  and  bitter  tears. 

No  race  could  bear  this  heavy  load 

As  thou,  and  not  have  died; 

Fate  cast  thee  on  a  mighty  sea, 

Swept  by  a  raging  tide. 

Thy  sons  have  known  but  toil  and  woe 

O  noble  Mother  race; 

Suffering  snares  on  every  side, 

And  insults  to  the  face. 

'Tis  better  that  thou  struggle  on, 

O  ravished  Mother  race; 

For  'neath  the  skies  where  others  dwell 

Thou'lt  win  a  worthy  place. 

Though  it  is  dark,  go  on  and  on 

O  Mother  race  of  mine; 

For  ere  thy  distant  goal  is  won 

Glory  will  on  thee  shine. 


[23] 


BOOKER  T.  WASHINGTON 

Washington,  true  noble  son 

Of  Ethiopia's  pride; 

Over  the  land  thy  deeds  have  flown 

On  fame's  rising  tide. 

What  a  shelter  your  hands  built 
In  the  land  of  flowers 
That  the  lowly  may  enjoy 
Bright  and  happy  hours. 

How  faithful  was  your  toil  for  us, 
O  Ethiopia's  star; 

What  struggles  you  have  had  for  us 
In  life's  great  war. 

Your  life  was  all  of  care  and  toil, 
Each  hour,  each  night  and  day; 
You  cleared  the  forest  of  life  for  us 
And  made  an  open  way. 

Sleep  on,  O  hero,  and  find  rest 
In  that  bright  home  above; 
Rest  from  your  labors  and  your  toil, 
And  know  your  people's  love. 


[24] 


PAUL  LAWRENCE  DUNBAR 

O  Dunbar!  the  son  of  everlasting  fame, 

Thou  served'st  thy  race,  thy  country-men,  but 

not  in  vain; 

The  everlasting  lessons  thou  hast  taught 
Are    lights    by    which    our    fortunes    may  be 

wrought; 

Thy  songs  we  sing  o'er  rugged  hill  and  plains, 
Dost  soothe  our  daily  heartaches  and  our  pains. 

Thou  marched  into  the  world  among  the  brave, 
And  all  the  way  was  forward  to  thy  early  grave; 
Toiling  each  day  for  those  that  never  knew; 
Inspiring  them  to  live  serene  and  true; 
Thou  wast  the  guide  on  pathways  we  must  go, 
The  mighty  teacher  who  taught  us  dreams  to 
sow. 

Oh,  Dunbar,  the  son  of  Ethiopian  blood, 
Thou  soarest  above  life's  raging  tides  and  flood; 
Rest  in  thy  peace  beyond  the  distant  sky, 
Thy  memory  is  in  our  hearts  never  to  die. 
Dunbar,  Dunbar!  of  everlasting  fame, 
Thy  service  we  honor  and  thy  genius  claim! 


[25] 


I  AM  MA'  AN'  PAPA'   BABY 

Go  'way  from  me  an'  le'  me  'lone, 

You  worry  me  to  death; 

If  you  jest  pull  my  year  ergain 

I'll  beat  you  out  'er  breath; 

I  want  you  kno'  jest  who  I  am; 

I  aint  nobody  crazy ; 

Go  'way  frum  me  an'  le'  me  'lone, 

I  am  ma'  an'  papa'  baby. 

You  come  eround  an'  play  wid  me 

So  you  kin  eat  my  bread; 

An'  ebery  time  you  git  a  chance 

You  bump  me  'gain'  de  head. 

I  is  tired  puttin'  up  wid  you,  — 

You  say  dat  I  is  crazy; 

You  must  be  fool,  you  little  brat, 

I  am  ma'  an'  papa'  baby. 

You  wan'  be  still,  look  at  you  now, 

Jes'  grinnin'  like  a  cat; 

Confoun'  yo'  little  crazy  time, 

Don'  set  right  on  my  hat. 

I  is  goin'  horn'  erway  frum  you, 

You  ack  lack  you  is  crazy; 

I  don'  want  you  ter  play  wid  me, 

I  am  ma'  an'  papa'  baby. 


[26] 


THE  FLOWER 

A  pretty  little  flower 
Stood  smiling  on  the  way; 
And  welcomed  every  traveler, 
On  a  bright  sunny  day. 

It  seemed  to  smile  and  whisper 
To  those  who  passed  it  by, 
And  say,  "  My  little  children 
Why  do  you  weep  and  cry." 

"  Come  take  me  as  thy  comfort, 
For  'tis  my  mission  here 
To  cheer  the  weak  and  weary 
And  help  their  burden  bear. 

"  We  all  may  be  a  flower 
Along  life's  path  of  night, 
And  scatter  there  bright  sunshine, 
That  men  may  walk  in  light." 


[27-] 


WHEN  THE  DIFFERENT  CHURCHES 
MEET 

You  talkin'  'bout  a  time  in  toun, 
It  was  in  las'  September; 
Wen  all  de  different  churches  'roun' 
Came  hyeah  wid  ebery  'member. 

Sis  Fannie  frum  de  Hard  shell  church 
Wus  pointed  by  de  men; 
To  sing  dat  good  ole  song  of  deres, 
Dey  call  dere  fav'rite  hymn. 

Sis  Bettie  frum  de  Meth'dist  church 
Was  pointed  by  de  quir' 
To  sing  dat  good  ole  Meth'dist  hymn, 
Till  she  had  made  'em  cry. 

But  Ned  from  Shiloah  Baptis'  church, 
Wus  pointed  by  de  board, 
To  sing  dat  good  ole  Baptis'  song, 
Dat  glorify  de  Lord 

An'  man,  dey  done  some  singin'  to, 
I  want  to  tell  you  dat; 
It  made  Sis  Hannah  Bonner  shout 
Till  she  tored  up  her  hat. 


[28] 


I  USE  TER  ORES' 

Wen  I  wus  a  courtin'  man 
My,  I  used  to  dres'; 
I  wouldn't  go  to  see  a  gal 
Unless  I  wore  a  ves*. 

I  wore  dem  locus  bussom  shirts 
An'  had  'em  w'ite  as  sno'; 
I  have  had  four  o'  dem  putty  studs 
All  strung  doun  in  a  ro'. 

I  had  a  long  Prince  Albert  coat 
Dat  cam'  down  ter  me  knee, 
An'  w'en  I  got  ter  dancin'  'roun 
It  hum  jes  like  a  bee. 

I  'member  once  I  had  a  hat 
Dat  temp'd  gals  passin'  by, 
An'  w'en  I  put  dat  rascal  on 
It  made  de  fellers  cry. 

I  see  youal'  wear  yo'  English  suit. 
Done  quit  lox  lack  an'  peg; 
Yo'  britchins  fit  you  like  yo'  skin, 
An'  come  half  way  you'  leg. 

You's  got  to  many  styles  fur  me 
An'  none  don'  worth  a  cent; 
You'd  better  kept  dat  money,  boy, 
To  spen'  for  pork  an'  rent. 


[29] 


WHERE  HEARTS  ARE  GAY 

Way  doun  South  where  de  wild  rose  grows 
By  de  stream  as  de  water  flows, 
Gently  through  de  ca'm  bright  night 
'Neath  de  twinklin'  starry  light; 
Tripple,  tripple,  night  an'  day, 
Dats  where  hearts  are  gay. 

Way  doun  South  where  de  robins  sing 
Through  de  fair  bright  days  of  spring, 
'Mong  de  growin'  lilies  fair, 
Where  de  fragrance  fills  de  air, 
W'ile  de  sunbeams  dance  an'  play, 
Dats  where  hearts  are  gay. 

Way  doun  South  where  de  ruslin'  cane 
Makes  a  joyful,  sweet  refrain, 
As  de  coolin'  breezes  bio' 
Through  de  meadow  to  an'  fro; 
Way  doun  horn',  in  de  South  I  say, 
Dats  where  hearts  are  gay. 

Way  doun  South  in  de  silent  grave 
Sleep  de  noble  an'  de  brave; 
From  dere  labor  an'  dere  toil, 
Restin'  safe  in  de  homeland  soil; 
Where  de  sunbeams  dance  an'  play, 
Dats  where  hearts  are  gay. 


[30] 


HOME  INSTRUCTION 

Wen  a  lady  gea  you  bread 
You  say,  "  Thank  you  mam  "; 
She  may  gea  you  something  mo', 
'Ha's  a  slice  of  ham. 

Wen  you  meet  'em  in  de  road 
Gea  yo'  hat  a  raise; 
Make  a  bow  an'  speech  to  dem 
But  don'  stop  an'  gaize. 

Wen  you  see  a  door  is  shut 
Gea  a  rap  or  two; 
Something  like  dis,  rap,  rap,  rap! 
Dats  de  way  to  do. 

If  dey  'vite  you  in  to  eat, 
Don'  eat  wid  yo'  han'; 
Use  yo'  knife,  yo'  fork  an'  spoon, 
Like  a  little  man. 

You  mus'  try  to  be  perlite 
Every  way  you  go; 
Dats  de  kind  o'  seed  to  choose, 
An'  de  kind  to  so'. 


[31] 


THE  NEW  YEAR'S  RESOLVE 

Another  year  has  passed  away, 
The  New  Year  comes,  but  not  to  stay; 
I  will  put  my  cares  on  Jesus  Christ, 
When  the  Old  with  the  New  Year  makes 
tryst. 

Within  all  evil  thoughts  shall  die, 
And  holy  ones  yearn  toward  the  sky; 
Then  all  my  griefs  shall  pass  away, 
And  every  day  be  a  holy  day. 

I  have  blundered  Lord  along  the  road, 
But  now  I  walk  with  lightened  load; 
Help  me  to  keep  that  which  is  right 
Beginning  on  this  New  Year's  night. 


[32J 


NLABOR  ON 

Labor  w'ile  the  sun  is  bright, 

Pray  an'  labor  on; 

Labor  on  wid  earnest  hearts 

Till  de  day  is  gone; 

Labor  dough  de  clouds  be  lo', 

Labor  dough  de  work  be  hard, 

Pray  an'  labor  on. 

Labor  w'ile  de  day  is  fair; 
Sing  an'  labor  on; 
Labor  fur  a  wurthy  cause, 
March  an'  labor  on; 
Labor  not  fur  self  alone, 
Labor  fur  yo'  brother  too, 
Sing  an'  labor  on. 

Labor  dough  de  win'  may  bio', 

Labor  all  de  day; 

He  will  sho'  you  w'at  to  do 

An'  prepare  de  way; 

Labor  'fo'  de  sun  is  down, 

Labor  fur  a  righteous  crown, 

Pray  an'  labor  on. 

Labor  dough  de  day  be  long, 

Fight  an'  labor  on; 

Labor  fur  a  happy  horn', 

Pray  an'  labor  on ; 

Labor  dough  de  way  be  dark, 

Pray  to  Him  wid  earnest  heart, 

Sing  an'  labor  on. 

[33] 


FORGET  ME  NOT 

Will  you  think  of  me  my  dear, 
Wile  I  am  erway? 
I  am  goin'  fur  frum  you, 
But  I  cannot  stay. 

Wen  I  think  of  leavin'  you, 
I  sit  doun  an'  cry; 
Thinkin'  w'at  I'm  goin'  to  do, 
Wen  I  say  goodbye. 

Love  is  treasured  in  my  heart, 
An'  its  all  fur  you; 
I  will  ever  think  of  you, 
An'  I  will  be  true. 

Wen  I  have  return  to  you, 
I  don't  want  to  tarry; 
If  you  really  care  fur  me, 
We  will  go  an'  marry. 

Will  you  truly  promise  me 
Wen  I  cease  to  roam, 
That  you'll  come  and  live  wid  me 
In  a  lovin'  home? 

Think  of  me  my  little  dear 
Wile  I  am  erway; 
An'  set  de  erpointed  time 
Fur  de  weddin'  day. 


[34] 


ANNOYANCE 

Hush!     I  hyeah  a  mighty  singin' 
Over  on  de  hill, 

Goodness,  wish  you'  stop  yo'  fuss, 
An'  learn  to  be  still. 

Singin'  soundin'  mighty  good, 
Wish  I  could  be  dere, 
Sit  doun  dere  an'  hush  yo'  mouth, 
An'  plat  up  yo'  hair. 

You  can't  hyeah  me  w'en  I  talk 
Can't  you  keep  still  som'  ? 
W'en  I  git  through  wid  you  Mis', 
You  will  go  frum  horn.' 

I  can't  hyeah  a  single  thing, 
Dat  goes  on  eroun', 
Fur  you  makin'  all  yo'  noise, 
You  are  out  'er  boun'. 

Ebery  night  you  sit  eroun', 
Hollerin'  like  a  fool; 
I's  goin'  buy  a  book  fur  you, 
An'  send  you  to  school. 

I  don'  want  yer  growin'  up 
So  much  like  a  nigger; 
You  must  le'rn  to  read  an'  write, 
Cypher,  add,  an'  figger. 

Dere  are  nuff  o'  peoples  now, 
Who  can't  read  an'  write; 
You  mus'  stop  yo'  nigger  ways, 
An'  act  like  you  white. 

[35] 


DER  FIDDLE  IS  MY 
COMFORT 

Wen  I  wake  up  in  der  morn 

Feelin'  kind  o'  tir'd  an'  sad, 

I  begin  to  sing  a  song 

Dat  will  make  me  kind  o'  glad; 

Dis  ole  fiddle  is  my  comfort, 

In  de  mornin'  an'  at  noon, 

You  kin  hyeah  de  strings  a  singin,' 

In  a  high  an'  'lodious  tune. 

Wen  I  stop  my  work  at  twelve, 
Wet  wid  sweat  an'  hungry  too, 
I  jest  play  till  Milly  come 
An'  say  Silas,  dat  will  do. 
Dis  's  a  good  'ole  piece  to  play, 
'Twas  my  daddy's-daddy's  song, 
An'  'tis  as  good  an'  sweet 
As  de  honey  in  de  corn. 

Ebery  night  befo'e  I  sleep 
You  kin  hyeah  de  fiddle  strin', 
Playin'  out  so  loud  an'  sweet 
On  de  current  of  de  win'. 
Milly,  she  jest  sit  an'  listen 
Wid  de  children  on  hur  knee; 
To  de  fiddle  as  it  whistle 
Lack  a  luttle  chicakadee. 


[36] 


THE  FAVORITE  DIET 

I  don'  ker  'bout  yo'  cake  an'  pie, 
An'  ne'ther  'bout  yo'  chicken; 
I  wouldn't  give  a  dime  fur  all 
Dat  you  have  in  yo'  kitchen; 
Wen  I  come  doun  to  visit  you, 
I'll  eat  what  please  the  masses; 
Make  t'ings  as  common  as  you  kin, 
An'  gea  me  bread  an'  lasses. 

Folks  talk  erbout  dere  po'k  an'  ham, 
An'  dat  bolognial  sausage; 
But  I  purfer  dat  sweeten  t'ing 
Dat  pou's  out  through  ah  fausage; 
Wen  I  sit  doun  to  eat  a  meal, 
No  matter  'tis  what  passes, 
Dere's  nothin'  dat  will  suit  my  taste, 
Lack  good  ole  bread  an'  lasses. 

I  sho'  enjoy'd  my  supper  here, 

It  wus  so  nice  an'  fine; 
A  luttle  cake  an'  cream  will  do 

To  suit  this  taste  of  mine. 
In  spite  of  all  de  cake  an'  cream, 

Upon  your  table  passes, 
I  wish  dat  you  had  brought  to  me 

A  plate  of  bread  an'  lasses. 


[37] 


GOOD  AFTER  ILL 

Win's  are  blowin'  on  ahaid  us, 
Rain  is  fallin'  fas'; 
Never  mind  it,  keep  er  goin', 
Soon  it  all  will  pas'. 

We  may  git  a  little  tirid 
Fo'e  we  reach  de  end; 
But  jest  take  a  little  courage, 
Ebery  now  and  den. 

We  may  have  a  many  ackin' 
An'  a  many  pain; 
But  remember  dat  ole  sayin' 
"  Sunshine  after  rain." 

We  may  see  a  many  days 
Dat  we  think  are  night; 
But  we  kno'  dat  after  darkness 
Dere  will  be  a  light. 


[38  : 


THE  PRAYER  OF  THE  FAITHFUL 

Jesus  my  King  in  Thee  I  trust 
With  all  my  soul  and  heart; 

Within  Thy  footsteps  I  will  walk 
And  never  will  depart. 

Jesus  the  source  of  all  my  strength, 

The  light  by  which  I  see; 
Help  me  to  praise  Thy  Holy  name 

Till  I  am  home  with  Thee. 


[39] 


A  DAILY  PRAYER 

Help  me  O  Lord,  to  face  the  coming  foes, 
Help  me  I  pray  to  win; 
Teach  me  the  wisdom  of  the  age, 
And  keep  me  free  from  sin. 

When  darkness  dwells  along  my  rugged  path, 

Help  me  to  fight  and  pray; 

And  sing  Thy  psalms,  though  Thee  I  may  not 

see, 
Until  the  dawn  of  day. 

Keep  me  O  Lord,  within  Thy  shepherd's  fold, 
Keep  me  beneath  Thy  wing; 
Guide  me  until  I  reach  the  blissful  shore, 
Where  I  will  see  my  King. 


[40] 


KEEP  ME,  JESUS  KEEP  ME 

Keep  me  'neath  Thy  mighty  wing, 

Keep  me,  Jesus  keep  me; 

Help  me  praise  Thy  Holy  name, 

Keep  me,  Jesus  keep  me. 

O  my  Lamb,  come  my  Lamb, 

O  my  good  Lamb, 

Save  me,  Jesus,  save  me. 

Hear  me  as  I  cry  to  Thee; 
Keep  me,  Jesus  keep  me; 
May  I  that  bright  glory  see; 
Keep  me,  Jesus,  keep  me. 
O  my  Lamb,  my  good  Lamb, 
O  my  good  Lamb, 
Keep  me,  Jesus,  keep  me. 


[41] 


RUN  ON  HOME 
(Melody) 

Don't  you  hyeah  de  masser  callin', 

Come  on  children,  come  on  horn'; 

Run  ca'se  yonder's  mount  is  fallin', 

Run  on  children,  run  on  horn'; 

Come  on  to  yo'  Jesus,  run  on  to  yo'  horn1, 

Lay  yo'  heavy  burden  doun, 

Run  on,  run  on  horn'. 

He  is  waitin'  to  receive  yo', 

Come  on  children,  come  on  horn'; 

All  he  say  to  yo'  is  true, 

Run  on  children,  run  on  horn'. 

Run  on  to  yo'  Jesus,  run  on  to  yo'  horn', 

Run  bef'oe  ole  Satin  come, 

Come  on,  come  on  horn'. 

Hyeah  Him  He  is  softly  callin', 
Come  on  children,  come  on  horn'; 
Run  ca'se  yonder's  mount  is  fallin', 
Run  on  children,  run  on  horn'; 
Run  on  to  yo'  Jesus,  run  on  to  yo'  hom\ 
Run  ca'se  yonder's  rocks  will  fall, 
Run  on,  run  on  horn'. 


[42] 


SING  ON  TO  JESUS 
(Melody) 

Come  on  children,  sing  a  song  of  praise; 
Sing  on,  sing  on  to  Jesus. 
He  is  risen  from  the  lonely  grave; 
Sing  on,  sing  on  to  Jesus. 

Sing  on,  pray  on,  Jesus  still  lives; 
Sing  on,  pray  on,  Jesus  still  lives; 
Fight  on,  march  on,  till  the  dawn  of  day; 
Fight  on,  march  on,  don't  forget  to  pray. 

Sing  on  children,  he  is  gone  above; 

Sing  on,  sing  on,  to  Jesus; 
Walk  and  live  in  His  abiding  love; 

Sing  on,  sing  on,  to  Jesus. 

Come  on  children,  march  around  the  walls; 

Sing  on,  sing  on,  to  Jesus; 
Yonder  walls  soon  will  rock  and  fall; 

Sing  on,  sing  on,  to  Jesus. 

Sing  on,  pray  on,  Jesus  still  lives; 
Sing  on,  pray  on,  Jesus  still  lives; 
Fight  on,  march  on,  till  the  dawn  of  day; 
Fight  on,  march  on,  don't  forget  to  pray. 


[43] 


SEEK  THE  LOST 

Hush!   'tis  a  voice  I  hear  afar, 
Hear  ye  the  doleful  cries! 
Some  one  is  suffering  in  the  storm, 
Go  seek  him  ere  he  dies. 

I  pity  him  in  his  distress; 
He  cries  under  Heaven's  dome; 
Let's  seek  until  we  find  the  lost, 
And  bring  him  safely  home. 

At  last —  here  lies  the  dying  lad, 
Come,  now,  we'll  kneel  and  pray; 
Oh!  see  it  is  our  darling  son, 
Who  long  since  went  astray. 

What  pain,  what  grief  I  suffer  now, 
As  I  embrace  my  son; 
Breathing  his  last  and  fainting  breath  — 
My  life,  it  seems,  is  done. 

There  are  many  sons  today  are  lost 
On  life's  stormy  ocean  foam; 
Let's  seek  them  while  they  wander  lost, 
And  bring  them  safely  home. 


[44] 


YOU'LL  REAP  WHAT  YOU  SOW 

If  you  plant  a  row  of  corn 
You  can't  reap  no  wheat; 
If  you  plant  a  row  o'  beans 
Don't  expect  a  beet. 

W'en  you  plant  yo'  sweet  pertater 
You  don'  look  fur  beans; 
If  you  plant  a  row  of  peas, 
You  don'  look  fur  greens. 

If  you  steal  frum  any  body 
Some  will  steal  frum  you; 
You  kin  try  it  if  you  wan'er, 
You  will  find  it  true. 

If  we  sow  a  seed  o'  kindes' 
We  will  reap  de  same; 
Let  us  sow  dem  every  day 
In  our  Savior's  name. 


[45] 


MOVE  ON 

Wen  yo'  life  is  full  o'  trouble, 

Don'  complain; 

We  mus'  have  our  daily  toil, 

An*  our  pain; 

Take  it  as  it  goes  an'  comes, 

Ebery  day; 

Keep  a  fightin'  an  a  marchin' 

On  de  way. 

Wen  yo'  load  is  gettin'  heavy, 

Don'  give  up; 

Soon  de  bitter  drugs  will  go 

Frum  yo'  cup; 

Don'  keer  how  de  sun  is  shinin', 

Walk  right  on, 

Till  you  take  de  load  you  carry, 

To  yo'  horn'. 

Wen  de  clouds  are  hangin'  heavy, 

Hurry  on; 

Try  yo'  best  to  make  it  over 

To  yo'  horn'; 

Never  stop  to  fool  erlong, 

On  de  way; 

Keep  a  marchin'  an'  a  fightin', 

All  de  day. 


[46] 


THE  DEPARTURE 

I  am  feelin'  kind  o'  sad 

'Bout  my  mother  dear, 

Though  she  died  an'  left  me  hyeah, 

Soon  will  be  a  year; 

It  is  putty  hard  an'  sad 

Wen  yo'  mother's  cross  de  foam; 

An'  you  cannot  hyeah  her  voice 

Nowhere  in  de  horn'. 

Wen  I  come  in  from  work 

I  sit  doun  an'  sigh 

O'er  de  words  she  spoke  to  me 

Jes'  befo'  she  die; 

She  is  gone  to  heaven's  land 

Never  to  return  — 

An'  she  caution'd  me  to  live 

Ever  true  an'  firm. 

Who  will  take  me  in  dere  care 
Wen  I  am  in  trouble; 
An'  will  come  to  cherish  me 
Wen  de  mourns  are  double? 
Wen  yo'  mother  pass  erway 
You  will  have  it  tough; 
As  you  walk  erlong  de  roads 
You  will  find  'em  rough. 

I  remember'd  good  an'  plain 
How  she  use  to  toil, 
'Rangin'  t'ings  erbout  de  house 
Fur  us  to  enjoy; 

[47] 


Who  will  speak  a  word  o'  cheer 
Wen  Fs  feeling'  sad, 
Cannot  say,  mother's  gone  — 
She  wus  all  I  had. 

If  you  stan'  eroun'  de  bed 
Wen  yo'  mother  is  dyin', 
You  can't  help  frum  feelin'  sad, 
An'  can't  keep  frum  cryin'; 
One  thing  gea  me  consulation  — 
We  will  meet  ergin, 
In  de  land  of  joy  an'  res', 
Dat  is  free  from  sin. 


T48] 


'TWAS  MOTHER 

Who  rock'd  me  w'en  I  wus  a  babe, 
My  mother  to  be  sure; 
Who  loved  me  dough  I  act'd  rude, 
Mother  sweet  and  pure. 

Who  toil'd  wid  me  both  night  and  day, 
Mother  kind  an'  dear; 
Who  sought  me  w'en  I  went  estray, 
Mother,  mother  dear. 

Who  shar'd  my  sorrows  every  day, 
Mother,  mother  mine; 
What  taught  me  how  to  sing  an'  pray? 
'Twas  Mother's  love  divine. 

Oh  mother  dear  has  passed  away, 
Mother,  mother  mine; 
An'  bade  me  come  to  res'  wid  her, 
In  Paradise  divine! 


[49] 


THE  MOTHER'S  FAREWELL  TO  HER 
SON 

My  loving  son,  my  message  is 
As  I  bid  you  goodbye, 
That  you  must  ever  put  your  trust 
In  God  until  you  die. 

Here  is  a  jewel  I'll  give  to  you, 
Retain  it  through  your  life  — 
'Twill  help  you  when  all  helpers  fail 
In  overcoming  strife. 

Take  then  my  son  this  precious  jewel, 
It's  dear,  it's  real  and  pure; 
This  jewel  is  these  precious  words, 
Be  honest,  kind  and  true. 

Your  foes  may  come  on  every  side, 
And  tempter's  powers  assail  you, 
But  keep  in  mind  this  precious  jewel  - 
Be  honest,  kind  and  true. 


[50) 


TAKE  ME  HOME 

Take  me  to  my  horn'  in  Dixie  fur  erway 

Where  my  mother  an'  de  children  all  are  gay, 

Take  me  dere  an'  let  me  die, 

At  my  mother's  side  to  He. 

Wile  the  good  ole  preacher  come  eroun'  to  pray. 

Take  me  to  my  horn'  in  Dixie  bright  an'  fair, 
Where  de  purfum'  frum  de  flowers  fill  de  air, 
Take  me  dere  to  res'  w'en  bre'th 
Weakens  to  its  song  of  de'th, 
An'  dey  ring  de  bell  of  peace  slow  and  clear. 

Take  me  to  my  horn'  in  Dixie  where  I'll  res' 

Till  de  angles  come  an'  call  me  to  de  tes'; 

Take  me  dere  an'  let  me  see 

De  ole  shady  hic'ry  tree, 

Where  de  robin  an'  de  sparrow'  make  dere  nes'. 

Take  me  to  my  horn'  in  Dixie  on  de  farm 
Whar  my  childhood  days  were  free  frum  care 

and  harm; 

Take  me  dere  an'  let  me  look 
At  my  horn'  beside  de  brook, 
Where  the  days  went  passin'  free  of  life's  alarm. 

Take  me  to  my  horn'  in  Dixie  where  I'll  res' 
Till  de  angels  come  an'  call  me  to  de  tes'; 

Make  fur  me  a  lowly  grave 

On  de  hill  ermong  de  brave, 
W'en  dey  fold  my  arms  in  de'th  on  my  bres'. 


[51  ] 


THE  DAY  OF  REPENTANCE 

Doun  in  de  valley  I  went  one  day 
Wid  head  hung  low  w'ile  on  my  way, 
I  heard  a  voice  but  I  could  not  see, 
An'  it  seem'd  to  say  dat  "  God  loves  me." 

Doun  in  de  valley  I  went  one  day 

Wid  a  heavy  heart  w'ile  on  my  way, 

I  heard  a  song  but  I  could  not  see, 

An'  it  seem'd  to  say,  dat  "  God  loves  me." 

Doun  in  de  valley  I  knelt  an'  pray, 
Askin'  fur  a  brighter  day; 
Wen  I  raise  up  I  could  plainly  see 
A  shinin'  light,  sayin'  "  Come  to  me." 


[52] 


WHAT  HAVE  I  DONE 

What  good  deed  have  I  done  today 
To  cheer  a  weary  soul, 
That  he  might  feel  a  touch  of  love 
While  struggling  toward  the  goal. 

What  seed  of  cheer  have  I  sown  today, 
To  lift  the  fainting  head; 
Of  a  soul  that  crept  along  the  way 
In  need  of  drink  and  bread? 

What  psalm  of  praise  have  I  sung  today 
To  hearts  sad  of  grief  and  pain, 
As  they  went  troubled  down  the  path 
In  life's  merciless  rain? 


[53] 


WHEN  THE  WAY  SEEMS  DARK 

W'en  through  life  the  way  seems  dark, 
Look  to  God  an'  do  yo'  best; 
Work  wid  willin'  han'  an'  heart; 
He  will  give  you  ceaseless  rest. 

W'en  your  path  is  long  an'  rough, 
Pressin'  let  yo'  zeal  be  shown, 
Till  you  see  the  King  above, 
Settin'  on  de  golden  throne. 

Never  murmur  or  complain, 
But  be  thankful  fur  yo'  share; 
Life  is  naught  without  a  pain, 
Useless  without  toil  and  care. 


[54J 


IN  THE  HOUR  OF  DEATH 

In  de  hour  of  death  when  all  am  still, 
An'  de  night  am  dark  an'  col' 
Wat  faintin'  word  can  den  be  heard, 
To  save  our  dyin'  soul? 

In  de  hour  of  death  w'en  de  end  am  near 
An'  de  heart  am  beatin'  slo' 
Wat  psalm  of  praise  can  de  mourner  raise 
As  death  raps  at  de  do'. 

In  de  hour  of  death  w'en  de  debt  am  paid 
An'  we  breathe  de  las'  goodbye 
In  dat  sad  day  w'at  can  we  say 
As  death  un'loose  de  tie. 


[55] 


EVENTIDE 

Softly  the  shades  of  evening  fall 
O'er  the  cheerful  hills  and  vales, 
Whispering  to  the  weary  eyes 
Saying,  "  lay  your  burden  by; 
You  have  labored  at  your  best, 
Go  now,  take  your  rest." 

Softly  the  shades  of  evening  fall 
O'er  the  heads  of  every  one, 
Smiling  as  they  dance  and  play 
O'er  the  merry  and  the  gay; 
Saying  as  they  softly  creep, 
"  Go  now,  take  your  sleep." 

Softly  the  shades  of  evening  dwell 
Till  the  dawning  of  the  morn, 
Smiling  as  they  dance  away 
From  the  merry  and  the  gay; 
Saying  as  they  softly  creep, 
"  'Wake  now  from  your  sleep." 


[56] 


WINTER  IS  COMING 

De  winter  days  are  drawin'  nigh 
An'  by  the  fire  I  sets  an'  sigh; 
De  nothe'n  win'  is  blowin'  cold, 
Like  it  done  in  days  of  old. 

De  yaller  leafs  are  fallin'  fas', 
Fur  summer  days  is  been  an'  pas'; 
The  air  is  blowin'  mighty  cold, 
Like  it  done  in  days  of  old. 

De  frost  is  fallin'  on  de  gras', 
An'  seem  to  say  "  Dis  is  yo'  las'  ' 
De  air  is  blowin'  mighty  cold 
Like  it  done  in  days  of  old. 


[57] 


THE  COMBAT 

Wile  doun  de  narrow  path  o'  life 
I  march  wid  hope  to  reach  de  goal 
As  I  attempts  to  do  de  thing  dats  right 
Evil  gits  within  my  weary  soul. 

Each  day  I  struggle  on  through  life 
As  bes'  I  kin  to  reach  de  goal, 
But  when  I  stops  de  struggle  fo'  to  res* 
Evil  gits  within  my  weary  soul. 


[58] 


RED,  WHITE,  AND  BLUE 

Red,  white  an'  blue 
Gleamin'  in  the  air; 
Kind,  dear  an'  true, 
Is  de  name  dey  bear. 

Red,  white  an'  blue, 
Flag  of  mother  mine; 
Teach  us  w'at  to  do, 
Till  de  end  of  time. 

Flag  of  our  home 
In  a  foreign  air; 
Fightin'  'gainst  de  wrong, 
Is  yo'  mission  dere. 

Flag  wid  twinklin'  stars, 
May  you  ever  wave, 
On  yo'  staff  above 
All  dats  good  an'  brave. 


[59] 


SING  OUT  FOR  PEACE 

Sing  out,  sing  clear,  the  true  and  brave, 
That  peace  may  o'er  the  land  prevail; 
Sing  on  in  joy  with  every  land, 
That  peace  may  come  to  man. 

Sing  out,  sing  loud,  the  old  and  young, 
Sing  all  beneath  the  gleaming  sun; 
Sing  as  thou  walk'st,  sing  as  thou  stand'st, 
That  peace  may  come  to  man. 

Sing  out,  sing  glad,  the  great  and  small, 
That  peace  may  flourish  over  all; 
Let  echoes  ring  o'er  every  land, 
That  peace  may  come  to  all. 

Sing  out,  sing  true,  the  high  and  low, 
Sing  as  we  on  to  glory  go; 
Sing  on  in  joy  with  every  strand, 
That  peace  may  come  to  man. 


[60] 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 

This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


Form  L9-Serics  4939 


PS3505.   C213F 


UC  SOUT 


HERNREGIONALUBRARVFAaUTV 


il in » "o 


TTT.  OF  CLMJF..  LIBrABY    TOS 


